La Boqueria, Food market in El Raval, Barcelona, Spain
La Boqueria, officially Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, is a covered market hall in Barcelona's Ciutat Vella district, entered from La Rambla near the Liceu opera house. Its cast-iron entrance arch carries blue and yellow stained-glass panels in circular and floral patterns, with a crowned shield emblem reading "St JOSEP" above "LA BOQUERIA". The metal roof dates from 1914.
The first record of selling here dates from 1217, when tables were set up near the old city gate to sell meat; from December 1470 a pig market called Mercadi Bornet was held on the spot, later known as Mercat de la Palla until 1794. The market was legally recognised in 1826, work on the official building began on 19 March 1840 under the architect Mas Vilá, and the structure was inaugurated in 1853. A new fish market opened in 1911 and the metal roof still seen today was put up in 1914.
The official name Sant Josep comes from the former convent that stood here before the stalls were built. Vendors and customers speak Catalan with each other as they negotiate quantities or ask about the origin of the goods.
The main entrance is directly on La Rambla, a few steps from Liceu metro station. The hall opens Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 8:30 PM and is closed on Sundays.
The metal structure of the 1914 facade carries colorful ceramic medallions depicting fruit, vegetables and fish. These ornaments were designed in the Catalan Modernisme style and frame the entrance to the hall.
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